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Syringomyelia

Syringomyelia (sih-ring-go-my-E-lee-uh) is the development of a fluid-filled cyst (syrinx) within your spinal cord. Over time, the cyst may enlarge, damaging your spinal cord and causing pain, weakness and stiffness, among other symptoms.

Syringomyelia has several possible causes, though the majority of cases are associated with a condition in which brain tissue protrudes into your spinal canal (Chiari malformation).

Other causes of syringomyelia include spinal cord tumors, spinal cord injuries and damage caused by inflammation around your spinal cord.

If syringomyelia isn't causing any problems, monitoring the condition may be all that's necessary. But if you're bothered by symptoms, you may need surgery.

Symptoms
Causes
Complications

Syringomyelia symptoms usually develop slowly over time. If your syringomyelia is caused by protrusion of brain tissue into your spinal canal (Chiari malformation), symptoms generally may begin between ages 25 and 40.

In some cases, coughing or straining may trigger symptoms of syringomyelia, although neither causes syringomyelia.

The following early signs and symptoms of syringomyelia may affect the back of your neck, shoulders, arms and hands first:

Muscle weakness and wasting (atrophy)

Loss of reflexes

Loss of sensitivity to pain and temperature

Other signs and symptoms of syringomyelia may include:

Stiffness in your back, shoulders, arms and legs

Pain in your neck, arms and back

Bowel and bladder function problems

Muscle weakness and spasms in your legs

Facial pain or numbness

Spinal curvature (scoliosis)

When to see a doctor

If you have any of the signs or symptoms associated with syringomyelia, see your doctor. Because many signs and symptoms of syringomyelia can be associated with other disorders, a thorough medical evaluation is important for accurate diagnosis.

If you've experienced a spinal cord injury, watch carefully for signs and symptoms of syringomyelia. Many months to several years may pass after an injury before syringomyelia develops. If you have symptoms, when you go for an evaluation make sure your doctor knows you had a spinal cord injury.

Related

You're likely to start by first seeing your family doctor. However, in some cases when you call to set up an appointment, you may be referred immediately to a doctor trained in brain and nervous system conditions (neurologist).

Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot to discuss, it's a good idea to be well-prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.

Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.

Write down key personal information, including any major stresses, recent life changes, family history of syringomyelia, and any past spinal or back surgeries or injuries you've had.

Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements that you're taking.

Take along any related medical information. If you have past medical reports, MRI scans or CT scans that might relate to your current problem, bring them to your appointment.

Take a family member or friend along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to grasp all the information provided to you during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.

Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For syringomyelia, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?

Are there other possible causes for my symptoms or condition?

Is it possible my symptoms will get better on their own?

What kinds of tests do I need?

Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?

Is my condition related to my diet or environment?

What is the best course of action?

What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?

Can exercise help?

I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?

Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?

Should I see a specialist?

Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What websites do you recommend?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions that arise during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Be as specific as you can when answering. Your doctor may ask:

When did you first begin experiencing these symptoms?

Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?

How severe are your symptoms?

What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?

What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?

What you can do in the meantime

Avoid doing anything that seems to worsen your symptoms. For many people with syringomyelia, straining can trigger symptoms, so try to avoid activities that involve heavy lifting or straining. Also, avoid sharply flexing your neck.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI of your spine and spinal cord is the most reliable tool for diagnosing syringomyelia.

An MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to produce detailed images of your spine and spinal cord. If a syrinx has developed within your spinal cord, your doctor will be able to view it on the MRI.

In some cases, a specialist will inject a dye into a blood vessel in your groin, which travels through blood vessels to your spine and reveals tumors or other abnormalities.

An MRI may be repeated over time to monitor the progression of syringomyelia.

Computerized tomography (CT) scan. A CT scan uses a series of X-rays to create a detailed view of your spine and spinal cord.

Treatment for syringomyelia depends on the severity and progression of your signs and symptoms.

Monitoring

If syringomyelia is discovered on an MRI scan that's done for an unrelated reason, and syringomyelia isn't causing signs or symptoms, monitoring with periodic MRI and neurological exams may be all that's needed. In rare cases, a syrinx may resolve on its own without treatment.

Surgery

If syringomyelia is causing signs and symptoms that interfere with your daily life, or if signs and symptoms rapidly worsen, your doctor will usually recommend surgery.

The goal of surgery is to remove the pressure the syrinx places on your spinal cord and to restore the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid. The type of surgery you'll need depends on the underlying cause of syringomyelia.

Several types of surgery options are available to reduce pressure on your brain and spinal cord. The goal of surgery is to improve your symptoms and nervous system (neurological) function. Surgery types include:

Treating Chiari malformation. If syringomyelia is caused by Chiari malformation, your doctor may recommend surgery that involves enlarging the opening at the base of your skull (suboccipital craniectomy) and expanding the covering of your brain (dura mater).

This surgery can reduce pressure on your brain and spinal cord, restore the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid, and may improve or resolve syringomyelia.

Draining the syrinx. To drain the syrinx, your doctor will surgically insert a drainage system, called a shunt. It consists of a flexible tube with a valve that keeps fluid from the syrinx flowing in the desired direction. One end of the tubing is placed in the syrinx, and the other is placed in another area of your body such as your abdomen.

Removing the obstruction. If something within your spinal cord, such as a tumor or a bony growth, is hindering the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid, surgically removing the obstruction may restore the normal flow and allow fluid to drain from the syrinx.

Correcting the abnormality. If a spinal abnormality is hindering the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid, surgery to correct it, such as releasing a tethered spinal cord, may restore normal fluid flow and allow the syrinx to drain.

Surgery doesn't always effectively restore the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, and the syrinx may remain, despite efforts to drain the fluid from it.

Follow-up care

Follow-up care after surgery is critical because syringomyelia may recur. You'll need regular examinations with your doctor, including periodic MRIs, to assess the outcome of surgery.

The syrinx may grow over time, requiring additional treatment. Even after treatment, some signs and symptoms of syringomyelia may remain, as a syrinx can cause permanent spinal cord and nerve damage.

Taking the following steps may help reduce the effects of syringomyelia on your daily living.

Avoid activities that may make symptoms worse

If you've been diagnosed with syringomyelia, avoid any activity that involves heavy lifting, straining or putting excessive force on your spine.

Consider physical therapy

If syringomyelia causes ongoing neurological problems that decrease your mobility and activity, such as muscle weakness, pain, fatigue or stiffness, a physical therapist may be able to create an exercise program for you that can help reduce these symptoms.

Talk to your doctor about physical therapists in your area who have expertise in neurological conditions.

Manage chronic pain

Chronic pain can be a problem with syringomyelia. If you're experiencing chronic pain, talk to your doctor about treatment options. Many medical centers have doctors who specialize in pain management.

Often, the most appropriate approach for treatment of chronic pain due to syringomyelia is to have a health care team that includes your neurosurgeon, neurologist, a rehabilitation specialist and a pain management physician who can work together to create an appropriate plan for your situation.

Living with syringomyelia and its complications can be extremely difficult. You may feel as if syringomyelia affects every aspect of your life and would love to not think about it for a day, especially if you have constant reminders, such as chronic pain or nerve issues.

This may leave you feeling anxious or depressed and may ultimately affect your relationships with friends and family, your work performance, and the overall quality of your life.

Having someone to talk with or lean on can be invaluable. Whether it's a trusted friend, counselor or therapist, you may find encouragement and comfort in a good listener.

Another source of support and information may be a syringomyelia support group. Your doctor may be able to recommend a local group, or you can find groups online. Support groups provide a forum for sharing experiences and can be good sources of information, offering useful or helpful tips for people with syringomyelia.